The Washington, DC metropolitan area has a variety of Earth Day activities that make caring for the planet fun for all ages. You can pitch in and help clean up any of the region’s parks or attend a family event that includes learning ways to improve our environment and make a difference.
2009 Earth Day EventsEarth Day on the National Mall
2009 Date to be Announced, noon - 7 p.m. Washington, DC will hold one of the largest Earth Day gatherings in U.S. history – a major day - long event on the National Mall to rally support for national action on global warming. The event, sponsored by Earth Day Network, will feature elected officials and candidates, community speakers, celebrities and major musical acts as well as educational displays and voter registration. Eight, simultaneous events will be held at landmark parks across the country.
National Zoo
2009 Date to be Announced. The Zoo and FONZ will commemorate Earth Day 2008 with a clean up of Rock Creek from 9 to 11 a.m. Volunteers will assist staff of the Zoo, FONZ, and Friends of Rock Creek’s Environment as they collect trash along the banks of Rock Creek near Amazonia and the spectacled bear exhibit at the lower end of the Zoo. Help beautify this important waterway and provide a cleaner habitat for local wildlife. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.
Potomac Watershed Cleanup
Annual Cleanup Day, April 4, 2009, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Throughout April, families can help remove trash from one of 276 sites along the Potomac River in Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia.
GreenDC Week Celebration
2009 Date to be Announced, 10 a.m. at Freedom Plaza, 13th Street and Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC. The event showcases environmental and energy exhibits about energy consumption, improving the quality of our air, water, and land and many other environmental topics. The week will includes hands-on fun activities for all ages.
Anacostia Watershed
April 18, 2009, cleanup at 8:30 a.m.; rallies noon to 3 p.m. Several locations in the Washington, DC area. Celebrate Earth Day by cleaning up along our local streams and keeping trash out of the Anacostia River.
Alexandria Earth Day
2009 Date to be Announced, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Ben Brenman Park. This year’s theme "What's YOUR footprint?” will focus on everyday activities residents can do to reduce their environmental footprint, and will educate residents about how they can make a difference, both locally and globally. Activities include recycling and composting demonstrations, live music, an Arbor Day tree planting, a performance by Blue Sky Puppets, and a “Green Home” Expo.
Montgomery County Earth Day Family Fair
2009 Date to be Announced, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 850 Hungerford Drive, Rockville, Maryland. (240) 777-6400. The event will feature family entertainment, energy-efficient vehicles and earth-friendly crafts. Tours of the County's Recycling Center will be offered with bus transportation departing every 15 minutes. Attendees who make the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star pledge -- to help save energy and reduce the risks of global warming by replacing at least one light bulb in their homes with an Energy Star one -- will receive a compact fluorescent light bulb. Educational presentations will include information on recycling, waste reduction, buying recycled products and environmentally friendly homes and landscaping.
Patuxent Research Refuge
2009 Date to be Announced, 1 to 4 p.m. Laurel, Maryland. Meet at North Tract Visitor Contact Station. Do your part to help wildlife by weeding, seeding, mulching, and helping with general trail maintenance. Naturalist led walks will also be held.
